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How NJ Cancer Survivors Are Guiding New Patients Through 'the Storm' After Diagnosis

Linda D'Addario remembers the exact date she received her breast cancer diagnosis: Feb. 28, 2022.

The news came as a shock. With no family history and no previous health issues, the diagnosis was unexpected — and devastating.

"I wasn't prepared for any of it," said the 46-year-old from Rahway, a mother of six. "You get so many questions, but there's no one there to answer them. I felt very alone."

That's a common refrain from new cancer patients: the overwhelming sense of isolation and anxiety. What happens next? Where's the road map? Even as survival rates have improved for many types of cancer, the incidence of the disease is also growing, especially among young people, forcing more people to navigate the medical, emotional and financial challenges.

It's why D'Addario and many survivors like her feel an urgency to pass on their hard-won knowledge. This fall, she's part of a North Jersey-based group of mentors, the Cancer Hope Network, that announced a partnership with one of the area's biggest health care networks.

As of September, cancer patients at Atlantic Health System hospitals had free access to the network's 500 trained volunteers — peers who have been there.

After her diagnosis, "there was nothing," D'Addario said. "I was begging for a support group, someone to talk to, a leadership group, something."

Cancer diagnoses are rising

Better screening, detection and treatments mean the number of cancer survivors is growing "exponentially," Edith Pituskin, an associate professor of oncology at the University of Alberta, wrote in a 2022 medical journal article.

Still, she noted, about half of all North Americans will be told they have cancer at some point in their lifetimes.

The disease isn't just a harsh blow to the body; the news can send a patient into an emotional tailspin as well, said Samantha Schrager, a director at the Cancer Hope Network, which is based in Chester in Morris County.

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The nonprofit's volunteers, all of whom are cancer survivors or caregivers, offer one-on-one emotional support and guidance, from diagnosis through treatment and survivorship.

"Cancer takes a huge emotional toll, and people often feel isolated even when surrounded by loved ones," Schrager said. "That's why it's so important for patients to have someone who has been through it."

'Nobody should feel so alone'

To say being a new cancer patient was difficult would be an understatement, said D'Addario.

"I had swelling in my armpit, and that's what triggered an alarm for me to get a mammogram. I never thought anything of it," she said. After her first exam, doctors ordered a second mammogram, then a biopsy, D'Addario recalled.

"Nobody should feel so alone like I felt," she said.

The Dance-D'Addario family poses for a photo at their Rahway, New Jersey home on Sept. 25, 2024. From left are Torrell Dance, 21; Laquane Dance; Frankie Dance, 4; Linda D'Addario; Jorey Dance, 17; and Raea Dance, 10. D'Addario, a wife, mother of six, breast cancer survivor, and peer mentor with the Cancer Hope Network, felt isolated when she was first diagnosed and wants to help others feel less alone.

Newly diagnosed patients often feel cut off from family and friends, says the National Cancer Institute, the agency that guides U.S. Research into the disease. Relationships change as loved ones don't know what to say. Patients may struggle to make decisions and stop doing things they enjoy.

After a double mastectomy, followed by multiple surgeries and infections, D'Addario struggled to find support.

"I was desperate for some kind of help, someone who had been through it," she said.

How cancer support groups can help

It's the kind of lifeline the Cancer Hope Network, founded in 1981, was created to provide. The network's mentors are there in person, on the phone or by text to help peers navigate the road ahead.

"Patients get paired with a peer mentor, either somebody with a similar diagnosis or someone who has experienced similar side effects. They get to talk to somebody else who gets it, who can validate their feelings," said Kerry Ricci, an oncology social worker at Atlantic Health's Overlook Medical Center.

The program gives patients a way to share their feelings openly, enhancing their coping skills, she said.

Studies show that support can be crucial for patients' well-being, providing them with information on the disease and the potential side effects of treatment. Participants in peer counseling experience less distress and depression and more resilience, according to German research last year that reviewed 18 other studies of peer support programs.

The Listening Line: NJ nonprofit aims to reach people before they hit breaking point

Patients with strong social support not only have better medical outcomes, they report a better quality of life on the other side of the illness, said Schrager, of the Cancer Hope Network.

D'Addario now mentors five other women diagnosed with breast cancer. "If I could touch just one life with my story, then I know that this was all worth it — all the surgeries, the fighting, the tears, everything."

"I'm there for them, whether they want to talk about their treatment or just need to vent about life," she said.

D'Addario shares enough of her own experiences to help mentees navigate the emotions. But she keeps the focus on empowering them, giving fellow patients strength to get through the challenges of treatment.

These days, D'Addario said, she sees her own cancer battle as a positive, thanks to her experience with the Cancer Hope Network.

How much does it cost to treat cancer?

Nov 12, 2024; Randolph, NJ, United States; Bridget Hochstuhl looks at family pictures at her home in Randolph. Hochstuhl was diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2010. She now dedicates her time to supporting other patients, emphasizing the importance of a strong support network and staying positive in the fight against cancer.

Much of the stress comes from the financial burdens of facing cancer, even for those with insurance.

Bridget Bocchino Hochstuhl, 52, of Randolph, had to quit her job when she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in 2010.

Thirty-seven at the time, the mother of two young children endured 35 rounds of chemotherapy and 52 rounds of radiation, a regimen that lasted over two years. Managing bills and caring for a 1-year-old and 3-year-old while undergoing treatment was overwhelming, the former health care manager said.

"It's all the other things it impacts. I had to stop working temporarily and I was earning less," she said. "The treatment kicked my butt … I was in the hospital 18 times in one year. It was really hard to manage financially, but I knew what I had to do it to beat it."

She often asked herself, "How do I manage taking care of my kids at the same time as taking care of myself?"

She wasn't alone. Medical costs for procedures like chemotherapy can range from $10,000 to $200,000 depending on the type and stage of the disease, says City of Hope, a cancer research and treatment network based in Los Angeles. Even patients with health insurance face significant expenses, averaging $5,000 to $10,000 per year in deductibles, co-pays and fees.

Lost income from missed work, the cost of travel to treatment centers and child care bills can add thousands of dollars more to the toll.

'The storm's going to pass'

Bocchino Hochstuhl said she learned much over the decade and a half after her diagnosis. She started mentoring in 2013 and now counsels about five people a year through the network.

She tells mentees early on about grants that are available to help cancer patients pay bills during treatment, when working can be difficult.

Thanks to the new partnership, experienced mentors like D'Addario and Bocchino Hochstuhl are available on-site at all five of Atlantic Health's oncology centers. The program is available at Morristown, Newton and Hackettstown medical centers, Chilton Medical in Pompton Plains and Overlook Medical Center in Summit, where D'Addario was treated.

The service, which originally focused on breast cancer survivors, has now expanded to include all cancer types.

"You need to know the storm's going to pass," said Bocchino Hochstuhl. "There is life after cancer. I'm living proof."

For more information about Cancer Hope Network or to volunteer as a mentor, visit cancerhopenetwork.Org or call 877-HOPENET.

Cancer stats

From 2010 to 2020, New Jersey's five-year cancer survival rate improved from 66.6% to 71.3%, with gains across all racial and ethnic groups.

Asians/Pacific Islanders had the survival highest rates, rising from 69% to 75.2%, while Hispanic and white residents reached 72.3% and 71.2%, respectively.

Black residents saw an increase from 58.7% to 65.4% but continued to face the lowest survival rates, highlighting racial disparities. These trends reflect progress but fall short of the state's Healthy New Jersey 2020 goal of 74.6% for all populations, the state Health Department says.

Death rates

Annual cancer death rate: reduced from 169 per 100,000 in 2010 to 133.3 per 100,000 in 2020.

Lung cancer death rate: reduced from 42.3 per 100,000 in 2010 to 26.5 per 100,000 in 2020.

Breast cancer death rate among women: reduced from 23.2 per 100,000 in 2010 to 19.6 per 100,000 in 2020.

Colorectal cancer death rate: reduced from 16.2 per 100,000 in 2010 to 12.3 per 100,000 in 2020.

Prostate cancer death rate: reduced from 21.7 per 100,000 in 2010 to 16.1 per 100,000 in 2020.

Source: The Healthy New Jersey 2020 initiative, which focused on progress made with various cancers between 2010 and 2020.

Gene Myers covers disability and mental health for NorthJersey.Com and the USA TODAY Network. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: myers@northjersey.Com; Twitter: @myersgene

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.Com: NJ cancer survivors giving back as mentors to new patients

Neighbours Legend Ian Smith Reveals Cancer Diagnosis: 'They Expect Me To Die'

Neighbours star Ian Smith has shared that he's been diagnosed with cancer (

Image: BBC)

Long-running Neighbours star Ian Smith has announced that he's been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The actor, 86 - who is best known for playing Harold Bishop - has shared the news following his recent departure from the soap opera, which is based in Australia. Ian has shared that he received the diagnosis earlier this year.

Ian has said that he has a "very aggressive" form of cancer, telling 10 News First recently: "I found out a few months back that I have cancer. That I have a very aggressive non-fixable cancer and they expect me to ... They expect me to die."

The outlet adds that Ian has a form of lung cancer and that he shared the diagnosis with his colleagues on Neighbours ahead of his departure from the soap opera, with him saying that there were "tears" over the news. Ian - whose wife Gail Smith passed away in 2019 following her own cancer diagnosis - said that the news of his diagnosis "knocked [him] out a bit," adding that it's made him "rethink" his outlook on life.

Ian has been a long-running cast member on Neighbours, having made his debut in 1987 - just two years after the show launched. He initially appeared as character Harold until his first departure from the soap opera back in 1991.

He later returned as a regular cast member from 1996 to 2009. The actor has made several guest appearances in the years since then, including having featured in the "finale" in 2022, which was thought to be the end of Neighbours.

Neighbours star Ian Smith has announced that he's been diagnosed with cancer (

Image:

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The show however was subsequently revived by Amazon Freevee and made its return last year. Although a number of long-running cast members reprised their roles, Ian didn't initially return for the new series of the beloved soap.

Earlier this year though, it was announced that he would be reprising his role as Harold, who would be moving back to the fictional suburb Erinsborough. A message shared by the show on social media in April read: "After fifteen years of living away, the legendary Harold Bishop is returning to Erinsborough. We are thrilled to welcome Ian Smith back to the show and the opening titles, where he belongs." Harold's on-screen return aired the following month.

Ian has however since left the show following his cancer diagnosis just months ago. Reflecting on his departure, he told 10 News First in an interview that has aired this week: "It isn't just my last day at Neighbours - it's my last day of work."

Announcing his departure, a statement issued by Neighbours reads: "Harold waves goodbye to Ramsay Street. We're sharing the sad news that Ian Smith will soon be stepping away from the beloved role of Harold Bishop. Ian first played Harold in 1987 and it's been a huge privilege to welcome him back to the show over the years, most recently in the current season."

Jason Herbison, Executive Producer, said: "The way the residents of Ramsay Street feel about Harold is how we all feel about Ian – we couldn't love him more than we do. Despite the challenges he was facing with his health, he wanted to give Harold a proper send-off. It was a very emotional moment on set as we paid tribute to him and the incredible contribution he has made to the show."

It's been announced that Anne Charleston - who played Harold's late wife Madge Bishop - will join Ian for "some of his last scenes". The statement teased: "In what context Anne will appear is yet to be revealed, but to have the iconic couple reunited will be one final treat for fans."

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Anxiety, Depression Increased In Pancreatic Cancer Patients With Palliative Care Consult

HealthDay News — Newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients receiving palliative care (PC) consultations have an increased prevalence of anxiety and depression, according to a study recently published in Healthcare.

Divya S. Subramaniam, Ph.D., M.P.H., from the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis of a sample of patients in the United States with newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer identified via electronic health record data. Subsequent diagnoses of anxiety and depression were determined, as were PC encounters, and the adjusted associations of mental health treatments with PC were quantified.

The researchers found that among the 4,029 newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients, the prevalence of anxiety and depression was higher for those with PC consultations (33.9 versus 22.8 percent and 36.2 versus 23.2 percent, respectively). There was variation seen in mental health service use and pharmacotherapy, with patients experiencing both anxiety and depression having the highest utilization. Age also influenced treatment patterns (adjusted odds ratio, 1.832 for younger than 55 years versus 65 to 70 years). PC consultations had no significant impact on the likelihood of documented treatment.

"Our study highlights the need for further investigation of palliative care in relation to mental health treatments and services utilization for pancreatic cancer patients," the authors write. "Furthermore, our study findings can serve as a valuable resource for health care providers, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding the implementation of palliative care."

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